Packaging machine



Aug. 31, 1965 R. T. WlLCOX PACKAGING MACHINE 4 Sheets$heet 1 Filed March 1, 1962 FIGI 3 2 l G 66 :11 Wm mm C |l|Hh INVENTOR.

RICHARD'EWILCOX ATTORNEY 1965 R. T. WILCOX 3,203,152

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FIG. 4 RICHARD T. WlLCOX ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 1, 1962 FIG. 9

INVENTOR.

RICHARD T.WILCOX WW 9 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,203,152 PACKAGING MACHINE Richard T. Wiicox, Decatur, Ga., assignor to The Mead Corporation, a corporation of Ohio Filed Mar. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 176,572 11 Claims. (Cl. 53-48) This invention relates to packaging machines and more particulaly to a wrapper tightening and locking mechanism for use on machines of the type in which a group of articles to be packaged are wrapped within a wraparound blank.

Users of known packaging machines in which a wraparound type blank is secured about a group of articles to be packaged frequently are confronted with the necessity of packaging articles of different sizes and also of incorporating different numbers of articles within a package group. Of course, articles of dicerent sizes require wrapper blanks which are different in size. In addition machines which form the wrapper about a group of articles must be adjusted in order to accommodate different space and motion requirements when the package and blank dimensions are changed.

In the past it has been the practice to effect adjustment by complicated procedures and sometimes spare parts of different sizes have been used for this purpose. Such adjustments frequently have required the services of hi ghly skilled technicians and the machines themselves have required dimensional adjustments of a highly precise character due to the inherent characteristics of the wrapper and machine.

A principal object of this invention is the provision of an improved tightening and locking mechanism for tightening and locking a wrap-around type blank about a group of articles to be packaged, the machine being specially adapted for quickand easy dimensional adjustment by simple procedures to accommodate articles of different sizes which are to be packaged.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for tightening a wrap-around type blank about a group of articles to be packaged which is specially adapted to perform an eiiicient blank tightening operation but which is not characterized by a high degree of precision as to its time and space requirements.

The invention in one form as applied to a tightening mechanism for a carton of the wrap-around type comprises a movable tightening element which engages an opening formed near the end of a wrap-around type blank and which moves in a direction to effect tightening, a pair of spaced movable support elements which are interconnected with the tightening element, and a thrust linkage connected with each of the support elements,

each of the linkages being arranged to impart operating movement to its associated support element and in turn to the movable tightening element, the movement imparted by each thrust transmitting linkage being in a different and generally transverse direction to the movement imparted by the other thrust transmitting linkage. According to a feature of the invention each of the thrust linkages is motivated by a common operating shaft and in this way improved coordination is achieved. The fact that the motion of the tightening element is imparted thereto by two separate thrust linkages makes it possible to adjust the starting point of the operating movement as well as the length of stroke of each linkage and of each support element. By this means quick and easy adjustment may be effected without requiring the services of a skilled technician. Furthermore, since the dimensional relationships are not critical the adjustment need not be as precise as it might otherwise be.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a side view of a packaging machine embodying the invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of a carton blank which is used in conjunction with the machine of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an end view of a completed package formed on the machine of FIG. 1 and utilizing the blank depicted in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an end view of the machine as seen from the left hand side of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a detailed cross sectional view taken along the line designated 5-5 in FIG. 4; FIG. 5A is a detailed cross sectional view taken along the line designated 5-5 in FIG. 4 which constitutes alternative structure to that depicted in FIG. 5; FIG. 6 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 4 but which shows only the locking and tightening linkage with other parts either removed or shown schematically; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one tightening element and of its associated thrust linkage and drive shaft; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism and its driving linkage; and in which FIG. 9 is a schematic overall view showing both the locking and tightening mechanisms in a unitary system.

With reference to FIG. 1 the numeral 1 generally designates the frame of the machine. As a part of the frame upright elements 2 and 3 are arranged so as to support a generally horizontally disposed beam 4. As can be seen from FIG. 4, a similar upright 5 is mounted on the other side of the machine and aids in the support of horizontal beam 6. Mounted just above and supported by the beams 4 and 6 is a hopper structure generally designated by the numeral 7. Carton blanks 8 are mounted within the hopper 7, such blanks being depicted in FIG. 2.

With reference to FIG. 2 it will be understood that the carton 8 is disposed about a package group with panel A forming the top of the package with panels B and C constituting the sides and with the panel E and the panel D in overlapping relation at the bottom so that in order to effect a locking of the wrapper the locking elements designated F1, F2 and F3 must be driven through the apertures defined by the retaining tabs and designated G1, G2 and G3.

For the purpose of regulating the rate at which items to be packaged are fed through the machine of FIG. 1 from right to left, a starwheel 9 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 10 which is driven by suitable mechanism including a gear box 11.

As the items to be packaged are fed from the right on a suitable conveyance (not shown) their rate of flow is regulated by starwheel 9. After they reach a position underneath hopper 8 suitable mechanism draws a blank from the bottom of hopper 7 and deposits it on guide rail 12 and its associated guide rail on the other side of the machine which rail is not shown in FIG. 1. The article group and its associated wrapper are then moved toward the left and when the package moves underneath a pair of arms 13 pivotally mounted at 14 motivating effort is imparted through operating rod 15 to fold the carton sidewalls downwardly about the package group. Subsequently, the end portions D and E of the carton blank are overlapped underneath the article group while the package is disposed underneath and between the sidewall folding elements 13. The structure whereby the above operations are performed is more fully disclosed in United States patent application Serial No. 176,357, filed February 28, 1962, now Patent No. 3,130,527, as signed to the assignee of this invention.

This invention is concerned primarily with the tighten ing of the lap panels D and E underneath the package group and with the locking of these panels to each other. According to the present invention the apertures H formed in the lap panels D and E are engaged by tightening elements which are controlled by suitable means which is readily adjustable and which moves along a controlled path so that critical adjustment is not necessary. With reference to FIG. 1, a driving motor 16 through a driving chain 1'7 imparts rotary motion to shaft 18 and by means of chain 19 drives a shaft 26 which in turn through chain 21 imparts rotary motion to the main drive shaft 22. As is shown schematically in FIG. 5, drive shaft 22 is of the so-called splined type to accommodate longitudinal adjustment. For example, one element 23 may be formed of a hollow construction and an inner element 24 may be slidably mounted within the outer element 23. If desired the inner element 24 may be slotted as indicated at 25 and the outer element 23 may be provided with a fixed pin or bolt 26 which rides in slot 25. Thus, the parts of the shaft are adjustable to accommodate ready adjustment of the mechanism to be described hereinafter.

For example, as shown best in FIG. 4 one tightening element is designated by the numeral 27 and is controlled by mechanism generally designated by the numeral 28. Thus, in order to effect a change in the location .of tightening element 27 it is possible simply to change the position of the mechanism generally designated by the numeral 28 with respect to the frame of the machine and in this way to render the tightening element 27 adjustable with respect to the bottom lap panel E of the carton 8. For example, with reference to FIG. 4 the structure 23 may be adjusted from left to right as viewed in FIG. 4 due to the fact that the splined shaft 22 may be lengthened or shortened due to the structure as shown in FIG. 5 without interfering with the relationship between the driving pinion 29 secured to shaft 22 and the driven pinion 30 secured to and arranged to rotate the drive shaft 31 by which operating movement is imparted to the tightening element 27. As an alternative arrangement the shaft 22 could be provided with ribs or teeth 22a on its outer surface and the associated pinions could have complementary internal ribs or teeth 221) which would :allow for longitudinal but not rotary adjustment of the pinions on the shaft. Such structure is conventional and is shown in FIG. 5A.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 the operating element 27 is provided at its upper extremity with a pair of locking tabs 32 which are arranged to enter the openings identified at H in lap panel E in FIG. 2. These tabs 32 are adjustably mounted by bolts 47 to the crosshead 59 which forms a part of the tightening element 27. As shown in FIG. 6 the lap panel E is in its tightened position. Stated otherwise, the element 27 as depicted in FIG. 6 is shown as occupying its upper limit of travel and the position farthest to the left which it occupies at the end of an operating stroke.

According to a feature of the invention the tightening element 27 is controlled by a pair of spaced movable support elements 33 and 34. Support element 33 is pivotally connected with tightening element 27 by a pin 35 and at its right hand end is pivotally connected by a pin 36 to a thrust linkage. The thrust linkage constitutes a crank 37 pivoted to a fixed pivot 38 and also pivoted by a pin 39 to a thrust link 40. Thrust link 40 is adjustable along its major axis by suitable structure designated 41 and 42. A pin 43 interrelates the lower end of link 40 with a slot 44 formed in a crank 45 which is pivoted at its right hand end .to a fixed pivot 46. Crank 45 is operated back and forth about the fixed pivot 46 by a cam 48 securely affixed to the common shaft 31.

Thus, the support element 35 is arranged primarily to impart movement from left to right and vice versa to the locking element 27.

For the purpose of imparting up and down movement to the operating element 27 the support element 34 is pivotally connected by a pin 49 to the tightening element 27. Support element 34 is mounted on fixed pivot 50 and is pivotally connected by a pin 51 to vertically adjustable link 52 which in turn is connected by a pin 53 and a slot 54 to crank 55 pivoted on pin 46 and operated about that pin by cam 56. Link 52 is rendered adjustable by means designated by the numeral 57. Thus, as the shaft 31 rotates arm 55 pivots about its pivot 46 and support element 34 is rocked back and forth about its pivot 50 resulting in vertical motion of the tightening element 27. The linkage operates on its upward stroke against the tension of spring 58 connected to the lower end of tightening element 27.

An examination of FIG. 6 indicates that adjustment of the length of the vertical stroke of tightening element 27 is effected by the choice of location of pin 53 within slot 54. In like fashion adjustment of the left to right stroke of tightening element 27 is determined by the location of pin 43 in slot 44.

The starting point for the operating movement upward and toward the left of the tightening element 27 is determined primarily by the adjustment of the lengths of the link 46 and of the link 52, respectively, as Will be apparent from an examination of FIG. 6.

Since the vertical movement of tightening element 27 is controlled and adjustable independently of the horizontal movement thereof and since the thrust linkages for each of the directions of movement are controlled by different cams on the shaft 31, it is apparent that the mechanism may be arranged so that the tightening element 27 is first moved vertically upward and then horizontally toward the left. This feature of the invention is quite advantageous as will be apparent from a consideration of FIG. 2. For example, the tightening apertures H are constructed with a triangular configuration so that the base H]. of each triangle presents a substantial dimension in the direction of movement of the carton as it moves through the machine of FIG. 1 from right to left. Thus, the tightening tabs 32 disposed atop the tightening element 27 can move during its tightening stroke with but moderate precision due to the length of the base of the triangle designated H1. Subsequently, movement toward the left of the tightening element 27 moves the tabs 32 toward the apex of the triangle defined by sides H2 and H3 to complete the tightening operation. By the means described, it is apparent that the positioning of the package group as shown in FIG. 4 need not be quite so precise as it might otherwise have to be by virtue of the improved action of the tightening element of this invention as described above.

As viewed in FIG. 6 the tightening element 27 and associated parts are duplicated on the left hand portion of FIG. 6 and the left tightening element is designated by the numeral 27A. Since this tightening element 27A and all its associated operating elements are identical to the element 27 and its associated parts, it is not deemed necessary to describe element 27A and its associated parts.

In FIG. 6 the locking structure is also depicted on the left hand part of the view in close proximity to the tightening element 27A.

The mechanism for effecting a locking of the tabs F into the openings defined by retaining tabs G is shown in perspective in FIG. 8 and is shown as viewed from the end of the machine in FIG. 6. For instance, the locking bar 60 is provided with a number of locking fingers 61, 62 and 63. These locking fingers engage the locking tabs F1, F2 and Rs, respectively, and drive these tabs through the apertures defined by retaining tabs G1, G2 and G3, respectively. When the locking tabs are forced through their associated openings the carton is formed as indicated in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the locking bar 60 is secured to a locking arm 64 which is pivoted at a fixed pin 65. The arm 64 is operated by a driving linkage comprising a link 66 which is pinned at 67 to the bar 64 and the rock shaft 68 which is connected to the link 66 by pin 69. Link 66 is vertically adjustable as indicated at 70 and 71 and the rock shaft 68 is oscillatable about fixed shaft 33A. By means of a pin 73 the rocker 68 is connected to link 74 which as indicated at 75 and 76 is vertically adjustable. Link 74 is connected by a pin 77 with an arm 78 which in turn is pivoted at the fixed shaft 79. Operating movement is imparted to locks 61, 62 and 63 by a cam 80 which is mounted on shaft 81. As will be apparent from FIG. 6 the shaft 81 is a common shaft which operates the cam 80 and in turn the locking mechanisms shown in FIG. 8. In addition shaft 81 carries the earns 82 and 83 which respectively impart operating movement to the movable support element 33A and to the movable support element 34A and the respective linkages associated therewith.

Furthermore, from FIG. 6 it is apparent that shaft 38A is a fixed common pivot for both the locking crank 68 and the tightening crank 37A.

From the description above it is apparent that the tightening element 27 and parts associated therewith may be moved bodily due to the structure of the splined shaft 22 as depicted in FIG. 5 and that the various elements of the tightening mechanism may be adjusted so as to vary the length of the stroke as well as the starting point of the stroke insofar as both horizontal and vertical movements are concerned. The fact that the mechanism is peculiarly adapted to take advantage of the relatively long dimension designated as H1 of the tightening apertures H as shown best in FIG. 2 also aids in rendering the machine readily adjustable without requiring the services at a skilled technician or without requiring special tools or special parts.

The fact that the tightening elements 27 and 27A together with their associated support elements such as 33, 33A, 34 and 34A may be moved bodily as individual units 28, enables an adjustment to be made for articles of different diameters or widths or for a different number of rows of articles to be packaged. Thus, to accommodate articles of a large diameter or width or to adjust the machine to handle two rows of articles instead of one row, the units 28 are moved bodily outwardly away from each other as viewed in FIG. 4. Such a movement, of course, is particularly advantageous because it does not change any relationships between any of the components with respect to each other or with respect to the driving mechanism.

While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention, I do not wish to be limited thereto and intend in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Mechanism for tightening a wrap-around type of blank about a group of articles to be packaged, said mechanism comprising a movable tightening element, a

pair of spaced relatively movable support elements pivotally interconnected with said tightening element, and a thrust linkage pivotally connected With each of said support elements, each of said linkages being arranged to impart movement to its associated support element which is in a different direction to the direction of movement imparted to the other support element whereby controlled resultant movement is imparted to said tightening element.

2. Mechanism for tightening a wraparound type of blank about a group of articles to be packaged, said mechanism comprising a movable tightening element, a pair of spaced relatively movable support elements pivotally interconnected with said tightening element, a thrust linkage pivotally connected with each of said support elements, each of said linkages being arranged to impart movement to its associated support element which is in a different direction to the direction of movement imparted to the other support element whereby controlled resultant movement is imparted to said tightening element, and a common operating shaft for imparting operating move ment to each of said thrust linkages.

3. Mechanism for tightening a wrap-around .type of blank about a group of articles to be packaged, said mechanism comprising a movable tightening element, a

part of spaced relatively movable support element pivotally interconnected with said tightening element, and a thrust linkage pivotally connected with each of said support elements, each of said linkages being arranged to impart movement to its associated support element whereby controlled resultant movement is imparted to said tightening element, each of said thrust linkages being adjustable to vary the point of initiation of the operating stroke of its associated support element.

4. Mechanism for tightening a wrap-around type of blank about a group of articles to be packaged, said mechanism comprising a movable tightening element, a pair of spaced relatively movable support elements pivotally interconnected With said tightening element, and a thrust linkage pivotally connected with each of said support elements, each of said linkages being arranged to impart movement to its associated support element whereby controlled resultant movement is imparted to said tightening element, each of said thrust linkages being adjustable to vary the magnitude of the operating stroke of its associated support element.

5. Mechanism for tightening and locking a Wrap-around type of blank about a group of articles to be packaged, said mechanism comprising an elongated movable tightening element, a pair of spaced relatively movable support elements pivotally interconnected with said tightening element, a thrust linkage pivotally connected with each of said support elements, one of said support elements being bodily movable in a direction transverse to said tightening element and the other support element being pivotally mounted so that movement about its pivotal mounting imparts movement to said tightening element in the general direction of its major axis, whereby controlled resultant movement is imparted to said tightening element, a locking element movably supported adjacent said tightening element, an adjustable motivating linkage for imparting operating movement to said locking element, and a common operating shaft for imparting coordinated operating movement to said thrust linkages and to said motivating linkage.

6. Mechanism for tightening a wrap-around type of blank about a group of articles to be packaged, said mechanism comprising a movable tightening element, a pair of spaced movable support elements interconnected with said tightening element, a thrust linkage connected with each of said support elements, each of said linkages being arranged to impart movement to its associated support element whereby controlled resultant movement is imparted to said tightening element, and a common operating shaft for imparting operating movement to each of said thrust linkages, said mechanism being bodily movable in a direction generally parallel to said shaft in order to vary the point of application of tightening force to the blank by said tightening element without interfering with the operative relation between said shaft and said thrust linkages.

7. Mechanism for tightening and locking a wrap-around type of blank about a group of articles to be packaged, said mechanism comprising a movable tightening element, a pair of spaced movable support elements interconnected with said tightening element, a thrust linkage connected with each of said support elements, each of said linkages being arranged to impart movement to its associated sup port element whereby controlled resultant movement is imparted to said tightening element, a locking element movably supported adjacent said tightening element, an adjustable motivating linkage for imparting operating movement to said locking element, and a common operating shaft for imparting coordinated operating movement to said thrust linkages and to said motivating linkage, said mechanism being bodily movable in a direction generally parallel to said shaft in order to vary the point of application of tightening force to the blank by said tightening 'blank about a group of articles to be packaged, said" mechanism comprising a movable tightening element, a pair of spaced movable support elements interconnected with said tightening element, a thrust linkage connected with each of said support elements, each of said linkages being arranged to impart movement to its associated support element whereby controlled resultant movements is imparted to said tightening element, and each of said linkages including an elongated link which is reciprocable in the general direction of its major axis and the length of which is adjustable to vary the magnitude of the operating stroke of the associated support element.

9. Mechanism for tightening a Wrap-around type of blank about a group of articles to be packaged, said mechanism comprising a movable tightening element, a

pair of spaced movable support elements interconnected with said tightening element, a thrust linkage connected with each of said support elements, each of said linkages being arranged to impart movement to its associated support element whereby controlled resultant movement is imparted to said tightening element, and each of said linkages including a lever arm whose effective length is adjustable to vary the point of initiation of the operating stroke of the associated support element.

10. Mechanism for tightening a wrap-around type of blank about a group of articles to be packaged, said mechanism comprising a movable tightening element, a pair of spaced movable support elements interconnected with said tightening element, a thrust linkage connected with each of said support elements, each of said linkages being arranged to impart movement to its associated support element whereby controlled resultant movement is imparted to said tightening element and each of said linkages including an elongated link which is reciprocable in the general direction of its major axis and the length of which is adjustable to vary the magnitude of the op erating stroke of the associated support element and each of said linkages including a lever arm whose effective length is adjustable to vary the point of initiation of the operating stroke of the associated support element.

11. Apparatus for tightening a wrap-around blank about a group of articles to be packaged, said apparatus comprising a pair of tightening elements, a pair of support elements for each tightening element, an operating linkage for each support element, each pair of support elements and its associated operating linkages being bodily movable as a unit with the associated tightening element so as to adapt the apparatus for articles to be packaged which are of different diameters or widths or for a different number of rows of articles to be packaged.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,602,924 7/52 Currie 53--48 2,809,484 10/57 Gentry 5348 XR 2,809,486 10/57 Gentry 53--376 2,933,870 4/60 Gentry 53-48 XR 2,936,560 5/60 Gentry 53-219 2,953,883 9/60 Gentry 5348 XR FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

BROMLEY SEELEY, Examiner. 

1. MECHANISM FOR TIGHTENING A WRAP-AROUND TYPE OF BLANK ABOUT A GROUP OF ARTICLES TO BE PACKAGED, SAID MECHANISM COMPRISING A MOVABLE TIGHTENING ELEMENT, A PAIR OF SPACED RELATIVELY MOVABLE SUPPORT ELEMENTS PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED WITH SAID TIGHTENING ELEMENT, AND A THRUST LINKAGE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED WITH EACH OF SAID SUPPORT ELEMENTS, EACH OF SAID LINKAGES BEING ARRANGED TO IMPART MOVEMENT TO ITS ASSOCIATED SUPPORT ELEMENT WHICH IS IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION TO THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT IMPARTED TO THE OTHER SUPPORT ELEMENT WHEREBY CONTROLLED RESULTANT MOVEMENT IS IMPARTED TO SAID TIGHTENING ELEMENT. 